Ramp to bypass roundabouts opened Tuesday 

 

COLUMBUS—After close to two years, the new ramp to take drivers directly from U.S. 74 to Interstate 26 East is finally open.  

The ramp opened on Tuesday to through traffic.  

North Carolina Department of Transportation Communication Director David Uchiyama said there will still be some lane closures here and there for additional work but the new ramp is officially open as of Tuesday.  

The approximate $19 million state project began in October 2017, with several projects attempted to be complete prior to the World Equestrian Games, held in September 2018 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring.  

The main projects were to construct new ramps for drivers to connect directly from and to Interstate 26 to U.S. 74 without having to exit in Columbus and go around the roundabouts. The first project, connecting Interstate 26 West to U.S. 74 was completed prior to the WEG. Weather was the main factor in delaying the second project to connect U.S. 74 to Interstate 26 East.  

The new U.S. 74 ramps at Interstate 26 have been on the state’s list to be completed for years.  

The original completion date of that project was Aug. 17, 2018. Vecillio & Grogan, Inc. DBA Sharpe Brothers were awarded the contract.